The Beatles (The White Album) [Stereo Remastered] (LP)

The Beatles

Amoeba Review

J. Mark Beaver, Hollywood 11/06/2012

It's 1968's The White Album (officially just self-titled), that I find myself in the midst of more often than any other Beatles album. As Revolver and Rubber Soul elbow for equal attention, I just give in to The White Album's glorious, ragged, mismatched beauty. I could live without many Beatles songs, but too many of the ones I need for my sanity are on this one album. "Julia," "Rocky Raccoon," "Glass Onion," "Dear Prudence," "Blackbird," "Mother Nature's Son," and "Cry Baby Cry." They are playing loose and daffy and had obviously had come to the understanding that none of it really matters. What freedom!

Kris Konrad, Hollywood 11/07/2012

The White Album is a sprawling four-sided smorgasbord of musical manna. It’s the “Ultimate Rock Sampler.” After two years of heavy sonic exploration and experimentation, the Beatles come back down to earth and show off their individual personalities and immense talents. The screaming jet plane on the rock ’n’ roll opener “Back In The U.S.S.R.” lets you know you’re in for a wild ride. The thunderous surge of “Helter Skelter” is so good, you wish it would never stop, and it almost doesn’t. The beautiful “Dear Prudence” and “Blackbird” are deceptively simple and uplifting. “Birthday” and “The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill” are infectious in their chanting childishness. “Happiness Is A Warm Gun” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” are flat out perfect. George’s “Long, Long, Long” is haunting, John’s “Julia” is heart-breaking, and Paul’s “Martha My Dear” is one of the prettiest love songs ever written to a dog. Almost every style of song is covered. You want dirty driving blues? I do (“Yer Blues”). Cryptic autobiography? Uh-huh (“Glass Onion,” “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey”). Searing social commentary? I’ll take two (“Piggies,” “Revolution 1”). Vaudevillian whimsy? You know it (“Honey Pie,” “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”). Country honk? Sure thing (“Don’t Pass Me By”). Avant-garde noise collage? YES (“Revolution 9”)! It’s all here. The White Album is as fresh and rewarding on its first listen as it is on its hundredth...um…I’ve heard.